Exploring the Role of Rail in Economic Development
How CSX Infrastructure is Driving Growth in Putnam County
The Putnam County Economic Development Council's September Investor Luncheon welcomed Aubrey Brown of CSX Transportation for a presentation titled "Tracks to Opportunity: Insights from CSX Transportation on Economic Development." Brown provided attendees with an engaging look at how rail infrastructure continues to shape industrial growth, site selection, and economic competitiveness across Florida and the nation.
The presentation highlighted the critical role rail plays in the U.S. freight network, moving approximately 40% of the nation's freight and connecting businesses to major domestic and international markets. Brown emphasized that rail is much more than a transportation asset. For many industrial prospects, access to rail can be a deciding factor when evaluating potential locations for investment and expansion.
Attendees learned about CSX's extensive network, which spans nearly 20,000 route miles across 26 states and connects to more than 70 ports and terminals. In Florida alone, CSX operates more than 1,600 miles of rail, making it the state's largest rail provider. These connections create opportunities for manufacturers, logistics companies, agricultural operations, forest products industries, and numerous other sectors that depend on efficient movement of goods.
A key message of the luncheon was that successful economic development depends on more than simply having rail access. Site selectors and industrial prospects evaluate the entire logistics ecosystem, including transportation infrastructure, utilities, workforce availability, permitting readiness, and speed to market. Brown shared insights into the characteristics of competitive industrial sites and detailed CSX's Select Sites program, which helps identify and market properties that are prepared for industrial development.
The discussion also focused on Putnam County's unique advantages. With approximately 39 miles of CSX rail service, multimodal transportation assets, and available development acreage at the Putnam County Business & Aviation Park, the county is well-positioned to compete for logistics and manufacturing projects that require strong transportation connectivity. Brown encouraged continued efforts to develop market-ready industrial sites and to leverage Putnam County's access to rail, highway, air, and water transportation assets.
The luncheon reinforced an important takeaway for the local business community: economic development success increasingly depends on creating development-ready sites supported by strong infrastructure and coordinated partnerships. As Putnam County continues to pursue new investment opportunities, rail remains a valuable asset that can help attract capital investment, create jobs, and strengthen the local tax base.
The PCEDC thanks Aubrey Brown and CSX Transportation for sharing their expertise and helping investors better understand how transportation infrastructure supports long-term economic growth throughout Putnam County and Northeast Florida.